I can confirm 30+ less sales for Scotland vs Italy at Workington, after this afternoons test purchase for the Tonga match, £7.50 is extremely reasonable, however a £2.50 'delivery' fee for a walk in purchase is beyond taking the mickey, good luck with that, it's cheaper on the telly.

I think the bear is great - can't remember a mascot for a previous tournament (and no doubt will forget this one after) but it all helps to keep the event in the public eye. With the Lockyer visit and tour they have hit the ground running.

Three lucky children nominated by Rugby League World Cup 2013 hosts have had a big say in the design of the brand new tournament mascots.

Finished designs of ‘Grubber’ and ‘Steed,’ were shown to the children for the first time at the England v France match in Hull on November 2 2012.

Chosen from over 1,000 entries from the UK and France the three winners were Emily Sixsmith, nominated by Hull; Luke James, nominated by Bolton and Sam Bithell nominated by Wigan. All three contributed elements to the overall design of the mascots.

The crowd at the Autumn International Series Final in Salford were introduced to the three young designers as they helped launch Grubber and Steed’s images before they go into production ready for 2103.

Rugby League World Cup 2013 General Manager, Sally Bolton said: “To have young fans involved in the creation of our mascot was important for us. This was to make sure that we really had something that 6-12 year old fans could really engage with.

"Grubber and Steed will be a big part of RLWC2013 and will bring new young fans and families to the tournament and thereby also help with our legacy commitments”.

Grubber is a large bear character. He has a cheeky Rugby League ball shaped side-kick called Steed. Grubber wears a shirt which has the logos of the 14 competing nations on and will be there cheering on every team during the tournament.

Grubber and Steed themselves will appear for the first time at a special event early in 2013.-ends-

Martin JohnstonRLWC2013 Communications Manager

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt